Thousands of North Texas students to learn about the Tuskegee Airmen with FREE hands-on program

The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) will bring its RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit back to Dallas Executive Airport for a free Black History Month program January 29 – February 16, 2018. The CAF invites area schools, churches and civic groups to a free field trip that will provide students with an opportunity to learn about and be inspired by the Tuskegee Airmen, America’s first African-American military pilots and their support personnel.

The RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit is a mobile movie theater operated by the CAF Red Tail Squadron, America’s tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen. It features a unique large-format curved screen theater allowing students to experience the original 30-minute film, “Rise Above,” in an immersive setting. The film tells the inspirational story of the Tuskegee Airmen and their struggle for civil rights and equality. It also gives viewers the exciting sensation of flying in a P-51C Mustang, the signature aircraft of the Tuskegee Airmen.

While emphasizing the valuable life lessons of the Tuskegee Airmen, students will experience CAF’s Flight Plan for Life, a unique activity designed to help young people create a path to success while articulating their life goals. Visitors will also get “hands-on” with history, handling artifacts from World War II. Various veterans will be onsite during selected hours to meet with students and share their experiences.

“Our goal is to offer a quality and impactful event that will benefit students while honoring the many black Americans who have made important contributions to our country,” said Bill Shepard, program leader and CAF Vice President of Education. “The Tuskegee Airmen played an important role in black history, and their life lessons can inspire people of all ages to rise above their own obstacles and find success. We’re excited to bring back this popular program to the South Dallas community for a third year and hope to continue to make it an annual event.”

Space is limited for the free event and is booked by reservation only. Contact Bill Shepard at the CAF at bshepard@rogers.com or 214-330-1700 ext. 114 to schedule your school, community group or youth organization.

The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) is the world’s largest flying museum. For more than 60 years, the CAF has been dedicated to honoring American Military Aviation through flight, exhibition, education and remembrance. Fulfilling its mission, the organization maintains airplanes in flying condition – taking the airplanes to the people to experience first-hand the sight and sound of the aircraft in flight.

A non-profit educational association, the CAF has more than 11,000 members and a fleet of 170 airplanes distributed throughout the country to 60 locations for care and operation by volunteers. For more information, visit www.commemorativeairforce.org

About the CAF Red Tail Squadron:

The CAF Red Tail Squadron is committed to telling the inspirational story of the Tuskegee Airmen, America’s first black military pilots and their support personnel. RISE ABOVE: Red Tail is a three-fold outreach program, includes an airworthy P-51C Mustang and the RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit mobile theater. These two exciting and entertaining vehicles tour the country year round with stops at airshows, schools, museums and community events. In addition, the group curates and provides extensive educational resources for students, teachers, youth leaders and anyone looking to learn more and be inspired by these remarkable American trailblazers. The CAF Red Tail Squadron is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization part of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF), a non-military group that restores and flies combat aircraft to remember the lessons learned from the defining moments in American military aviation history. Learn more at redtail.org.